US rejects Iran talks as Iraq and Jordan see sharpest recent escalation

A senior U.S. State Department official said Washington is not actively pursuing a return to negotiations with Iran, stating that “for now, actions will be met with actions” and that the president made clear the Iranian apology “was not enough.”

The comment followed a coordinated night of attacks: U.S. and Saudi forces struck Iran‑backed militia sites in Iraq, killing five members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Diyala province. In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles toward U.S. forces in Jordan, which were intercepted without casualties. The U.S. Central Command described the Iranian attempt as a “surprise attack.”

U.S. officials said the strikes were a “strong response to more than 30 IRGC‑directed drone attacks in the past 72 hours,” targeting U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia confirmed its involvement, describing the action as self‑defence after drones linked to the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) struck Saudi oil facilities. The PMF reported at least 20 fighters killed and 32 wounded across seven Iraqi provinces.